West Dennis Beach was closed on Monday, June 3, for a police investigation. There are reports that a person died by suicide. The Dennis Police Department closed the non-resident parking lot but later opened it in the afternoon. No other information has been released at the time of this publication regarding the incident. If you or someone you love is in crisis or has suicidal thoughts, there is support accessible 24 hours a day. Call 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
On Tuesday, June 4, it was reported that the West Dennis Beach Main Parking Lot will be closed to all vehicles starting on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. The lot could be closed for 3–7 days. During this time, town staff will be constructing a pathway to allow hatching piping plover chicks to access the beach. Piping Plovers are a protected species under the Endangered Species Act, and vehicles represent a threat to the chicks.
During this time, the resident parking lot will be open. Once the chicks are safely on the beach, the pathway will be deconstructed, and the main parking lot will be re-opened to vehicles. They ask for the patience of the public during the parking lot closure and recommend you take advantage of one of the town’s other beaches during this time.
